Polls: Strong support for immigration overhaul

Two major polls released Tuesday show that wide majorities are concerned about the current state of immigration and want reform.

The polls, conducted by USA Today/Gallup and The New York Times/CBS, show that most Americans want to better secure the border but are also concerned about the effect security measures would have on immigrant families.

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Two-thirds of those surveyed in a USA Today/Gallup poll released Tuesday said they want the federal government to do a “better job” securing the border. But at the same time, 77 percent said they are concerned that stricter laws would force immigrant families who have lived in the United States for years would be forced to leave.

Additionally, 74 percent said they are either “very” or “somewhat” concerned that an immigration crackdown could lead to harassment of Hispanics, even as 68 percent said it is “extremely” or “very” important to halt the flow of illegal immigration.

Gallup interviewed 1,049 adults for the survey on May 1-2. The poll has a margin of error of four percentage points.

The New York Times/CBS poll also demonstrated a complicated political dynamic.

In the wake of Arizona's tough new immigration law, 57 percent said the federal government should be in charge of immigration enforcement. But while a majority would prefer the feds step in rather than Arizona acting unilaterally, 51 percent said the Arizona law is “about right.”

Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed for the second poll said the immigration system needs to be either needed “reworking” or to be “completely rebuilt.” Only 8 percent said immigration needs only “minor” changes.

That poll was based on interviews with 1,079 adults conducted April 28-May 2 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.